GUNS Magazine June 2014 Digital Edition

(born on the 4th of July) and who was awarded the Silver Star in December 2008 for his actions in battle at Shok Valley, Afghanistan. During the battle, Walding was shot through the right leg below the knee by a sniper and later lost the leg. After recovery, Walding worked as an assistant instructor at 3rd SFG’s sniper detachment at Fort Bragg, N.C., where he refused to lower his personal standards because of his injury. But in order to become a fulltime instructor, he had to complete the Special Forces Sniper Course at the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School. He is the first onelegged Soldier to graduate the Special Forces Sniper Course. John Wayne Walding (left) is presented with a one-of-a-kind AR-10 rifle built and presented by SD Tactical Arms owner Darrell Kress through his Weapons4Warriors program at the 2014 SHOT Show. Each year for the last four years, SD Tactical Arms presents a oneof-a-kind AR-10 rifle to an American warrior. Photo: Jade Moldé SD Tactical Arms and owner, Darrell Kress, created the Weapons 4Warriors program after witnessing the impact of giving a custom designed AR-10 rifle to the late Navy Seal, Chris Kyle. Many more of our nation’s Warriors have also performed heroic deeds and never received the honors they deserve. Funding for the company’s program comes largely from SDTA T-shirt sales, and approximately $6 from every T-shirt sale is set aside. The shirts are American-made of the finest cotton and promote the Second Amendment. Weapons4Warriors may not be the biggest program, it may not get the most press, but the smiles and the appreciation on the recipient’s faces should make supporters feel incredible. Last year, after Kress gave Chris Kyle a rifle, he asked Chris to help him pick a warrior worthy of 2014’s rifle. Chris Kyle right away said the man should be John Wayne Walding. WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 69